Anti-Semitism, Gaza and Complexity

We had planned to send out an eblast about the horrors of the systematic starvation of the people of Gaza, a deliberately-created disaster. That moral crisis will continue to animate our work. But in the aftermath of the horrible attack on Jewish marchers in Boulder, CO on Sunday, we have changed course for this eblast and want to address anti-semitism and its complexities.

We fully and completely condemn the fire attack on the “Run for Their Lives” group in Boulder, who were engaged in a peaceful march calling for the release of the remaining hostages being held in Gaza. We also condemn the May 21 murders of Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim, employees of the Israeli embassy in DC., and the attacks on Pennsylvania Governor Shapiro's house on Passover. These were clear, premeditated acts of anti-semitism.

These incidents come at a time of both rising anti-semitism in the US and elsewhere, and of increasing genocidal violence against the people of Gaza. We are horrified by acts of violence against innocent civilians, whether in Boulder, Washington, DC, Gaza City, Khan Younis or Nablus, whether carried about by individuals, national military forces or by organized vigilantes.

While we decry all violence, it also matters how we talk about things that have happened. Anti-semitism is a real danger now, as it has been for many centuries, and we must consistently and forcefully call it out. But, we deeply resent those who label all criticism of Israeli policy as anti-semitic. This conflation has dire consequences for justice and peace; it delegitimizes and silences valid criticisms of Israeli policies, results in the repression of free speech and creates confusion for many people, both Jews and non-Jews.

Physically attacking Jews, desecrating Jewish cemeteries or scapegoating Jews as being responsible for social and economic woes ARE anti-semitic and must be actively opposed. But support for Palestinian rights and freedom is not anti-semitic.

Similarly, critiquing political Zionism is also not anti-semitic. Unfortunately, we have observed that the use of the word “Zionist” as a dehumanizing epithet has the potential to actually feed anti-semitism and increase justifications for violence. Sadly, we sometimes hear such dehumanizing language as we engage in Palestinian solidarity work. We fully understand the outrage, but urge our fellow activists and progressives to join us in thinking carefully about the language we use in working for justice. This work is too important for us not to do everything we can to act and speak in ways which increase our effectiveness and moral clarity.

We are heartened by the resurgent peace movement in Israel, as well as Jews here and around the world who demand an immediate ceasefire and end to the violence in Gaza and the West Bank.

As Jews who openly criticize current Israeli and US policies, support a just peace and the rights of the Palestinian people, we believe we are upholding the ancient Jewish traditions of valuing life and working for justice. We refuse to accept that the goals of pursuing justice, human rights and self-determination for all people are anti-Jewish. We believe these principles are essential to a thriving Jewish community and to a lasting peace.

We can ill-afford divisive rhetoric and ideologies at such a critical moment. Working in solidarity is our best hope for achieving justice and peace for Jews AND Palestinians.

Yours in Struggle,

Andy Mager and Mara Sapon-Shevin
for Syracuse Cultural Workers